When everyone was done eating, Sei told Kyohei to take the weekend off. "Grandfather has left an open invitation for me to come to his country house, and I've accepted on behalf of myself and the girls. You can have the rest of the weekend off. But don't think you're off the hook; he's heard enough about your culinary skills he wants to meet you."

"As long as I'm cooking for a lot less than a thousand people."

Sei chucked. "I was teasing you, Kyo."

"Yeah, but I know you, Sei."

(Hongo watched the exchange and got more than a little uneasy.)

The students got ready to leave. When Shiho appointed herself custodian of Leo's care package, Hayao said, "So where is this guy?"

"That's right," Kyo said. "Amy, Hayao will need directions."

Amy nodded, dashed to the door and looked outside. The she headed for her room. "System's a little slow today," she called over her shoulder, "but you'll have it in five at most."

"Thanks, short stuff."

"What-" Hayao started.

"She'll send it directly to your nav system," Kyo said.

"How-"

"She saw your license plate."

"Does-"

"All the time."

"Ok, man."

Miss Hongo looked around. "Well, I think we'd best be going."

Sei walked Miss Hongo and her students to the SUV. Hongo let the students get in and turned to Sei.

"It was nice meeting you," Hongo said. "Thank you for letting us use your kitchen."

"It was my pleasure," Sei replied. "I've always admired Kyo for having set a goal for himself, and to choose one most boys his age wouldn't even conceive of, and then follow of it, takes a lot of courage. I've made it one of my goals in life to help him achieve his dream in any way I can. He's gone above and beyond the call of duty for me every chance he's got, and I think I owe him something for that. But I also don't want his studies to suffer, and I'm very concerned about that." She handed Hongo a business card. "My card. Please, feel free to call me any time with whatever concerns or questions you may have."

Hongo sat in the back with Kyohei, who was once again engrossed in chatting with Eriko. As the SUV pulled away, she watched the retreating trailer out of the back window for a moment.

"Hey, Kyohei," Hayao said, "that little dweeb didn't come through. There's nothing in the-"

Ping!

"Never mind."

Kyohei didn't look up from his phone but he smiled. "She said her system was slow today."

Hongo said, "Kyohei? Could you look at me for a second?"

Kyohei turned to her.

"After class on Monday," Hongo said, "I want to have a word with you-"

"Oh, for-Miss H.-"

"No, Kyohei, I think this is important."

"All right." He turned back to his phone.